WHO guidelines on child obesity medications

The World Health Organization recommended relying on a healthy diet, exercise, and behavioral guidance as primary methods to combat the rising rates of obesity among children, instead of medications and surgeries. The use of weight-loss medications for children aged 10 to 19 can only be considered after the failure of non-pharmacological interventions and under medical supervision, with surgery being an option after six months of unsuccessful treatment for physically and mentally mature children. The organization confirmed that 400 million children between the ages of 5 and 19 suffer from overweight, with obesity increasing fourfold since 1990, and stated that preventive solutions require providing affordable healthy diets and physical activity opportunities.